Public study library
Five collections.
322 cases.
Read the koan collections freely, move case by case, and follow linked teacher names into the public teacher directory.
No account is required. Each adaptation appears only after editorial review.The cases
Miscellaneous Koans
21 cases
Preliminary practice
Miscellaneous Koans
Preliminary koans studied before The Gateless Gate
- CASE 1Three Opening KoansWhat is Mu? What is the origin of Mu? What is the sound of one hand? Zen training commonly kicks off with the koan commonly known as Joshū's dog, whi…→
- CASE 2The Distant Temple BellTry stopping the sound of a distant temple bell. Another version of this koan reads "'Stop the cries of birds and beasts, the sound of the flute, and…→
- CASE 3Stop a Boat Sailing ByStop a boat sailing by out on the open sea→
- CASE 4Save a GhostSave a ghost→
- CASE 5Count the StarsCount the stars in the heavens→
- CASE 6The Undug WellIn a well that has not been dug, water is rippling from a spring that does not flow; there, someone with no shadow or form is drawing the water→
- CASE 7The Brook and the Birda) Slowly I wade in a brook and extinguish its sound b) Freely I watch a flying bird and sketch the track of its flight→
- CASE 8The Stone in the Sea of IseIn the sea of Ise, ten thousand feet down, lies a single stone; I wish to pick up that stone without wetting my hands→
- CASE 9Empty HandsWith empty hands take hold of a plow Walking, ride a water buffalo Crossing a bridge, the bridge flows, the water is motionless→
- CASE 10The Narrow Mountain PathTo be true to myself, I must go straight on a narrow mountain path that has ninety-nine curves→
- CASE 11Lotus Leaves and Water-Nutsa) The leaves of the lotus are round, round, rounder than a mirror b) The edge of the water-nut is sharp, sharp, sharper than an awl c) When the win…→
- CASE 12Mount Godaia) On Mount Godai a cloud is cooking rice b) In front of an old Buddhist shrine a dog is pissing toward heaven→
- CASE 13The One Peak Not Whitea) A thousand mountains are covered with snow. b) Why is only one peak not white?→
- CASE 14Shōgen’s Three Turning Wordsa) Why is it that the Man of Great Strength (Buddha) does not lift up his leg? b) Without using your tongue, speak. c) How is it that the crimson li…→
- CASE 15Ōryū’s Three Turning Wordsa) How does my hand compare with the Buddha's hand? b) How does my leg compare with a donkey's leg? c) All people have their own karmic birthplace. …→
- CASE 16Tosotsu’s Three Barriersa) The purpose of making one’s way through grasses And asking a Master about the subtle truth Is only to realize one’s self-nature. Now you venerable …→
- CASE 17Kido’s Three Barriersa) How is it that someone whose eyes are not opened, puts on clothes and skirts made of empty sky? b) How is it that someone who surveys land and dig…→
- CASE 18Jōshū’s Three Turning Wordsa) The Buddha made of wood will not pass through fire; if he does, he will surely be burnt b) The Buddha made of clay will not pass through water; if…→
- CASE 19From the Diamond Sutraa) “Thus I hear.” b) “All the Buddhas and the Buddhas' dharma of the Supreme Way arise from this sutra.” What is this sutra? c) “In this dharma ever…→
- CASE 20From the Fukan Zazengia) The way of the Buddha is intrinsically accomplished and perfect. b) The principle of our Zen school is complete freedom. c) If there is only a bi…→
- CASE 21Haryō’s Three Turning Wordsa) What is the Deva Sect? “Piling up snow in a silver bowl.” b) What is the Way? “A clearly enlightened monk falls into a well.” c) What is the shar…→